DARKHORSE Vinalot Eyu stunned the elite field with a near wire-to-wire performance to rule the first leg of the Philracom Triple Crown Stakes Races recently at the Metro Manila Turf Club Inc. track in Malvar, Batangas.
With jockey Mark Angelo Alvarez on top, the thoroughbred sired by Diamon King out of Ivanavinalot took the lead in the first 200 meters and gamely held off the challenge of Constatic Offer at the homestretch, topping the 1,600-meter race in one minute and 42.2 seconds.
Ridden by jockey Oneal Cortez, Constatic Offer placed second while Parade King came from behind to finish third in the blue-ribbon event sanctioned by the Philippine Racing Commission led by chairman Reli De Leon.
Checking in fourth place was Mastery, owned by former Local Government Secretary Ben Abalos Jr., while top pick Transform, owned by famed owner and horse breeder Hermie Esguerra, could only muster fifth.
Vinalot Eyu’s triumph was worth P2.1 million for owner Melanie Habla, and the horse will be eyeing a second straight win in the Triple Crown second leg on Sunday also at the MMTCI track founded by Dr. Norberto Quisumbing Jr.
In the Three-Year-Old Locally Bred Stakes, District One, owned and bred by SC Stockfarm Inc. and guided by John Alvin Guce, showcased exceptional talent to claim the top spot in a time of 1:43.4 to pocket the top prize of P600,000.
